OSMRE Mine Drainage Technology Initiative (MDTI) | S23AS00382

Opportunity Information: Apply for S23AS00382

The OSMRE Mine Drainage Technology Initiative (MDTI) is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). It is offered under Funding Opportunity Number S23AS00382 and supports work in the broad area of science and technology and other research and development, as reflected in its CFDA/Assistance Listing number 15.255. The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which typically means the agency expects to have more substantial involvement in the project during the period of performance than it would under a standard grant (for example, coordination on technical direction, milestones, or deliverables).

At its core, MDTI is positioned as an initiative that uses mine drainage-related projects to strengthen science and technology instruction and capacity. The opportunity explicitly emphasizes improving the quality of science and technology instruction at institutions serving high concentrations of minority students, particularly students who have historically been underrepresented in higher education. Minority Serving Institutions are specifically encouraged to apply, signaling that proposals connected to MSIs and their student populations are likely to align well with the program purpose. In practical terms, a competitive project under this program would usually connect technical work (often involving mine drainage challenges and related technologies) with meaningful educational or training outcomes, such as enhanced curricula, hands-on research experiences, laboratory or field training, and pathways that build student skills in applied environmental science, engineering, geoscience, or related disciplines.

Eligible applicants are fairly broad and include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments, along with other eligible entities as indicated by the notice. This eligibility range allows universities, colleges, qualifying nonprofits, and certain tribal organizations to serve as lead applicants, and it also leaves room for partnerships where an MSI, nonprofit, or other eligible organization works with technical experts, community stakeholders, or additional academic departments to deliver both the technical and educational components of the effort.

The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $200,000 per award. While the source excerpt does not specify a floor, period of performance, or cost share, the ceiling provides a clear upper bound on the federal funding that can be requested for a single project under this announcement. The expected number of awards is not stated in the provided data, so applicants would generally need to consult the full notice for details on anticipated competition size, selection preferences, and any programmatic priorities.

Key administrative dates included in the source data show the opportunity was created on August 4, 2023, with an original closing date of September 25, 2023. In other words, this particular posting reflects a time-limited competition window during that cycle, and anyone considering applying would typically confirm whether the opportunity is still open, has been amended, or will be reissued in a future year.

In summary, MDTI is a cooperative agreement funding opportunity from OSMRE focused on mine drainage technology-related work, with a strong education and workforce development angle aimed at strengthening science and technology instruction for underrepresented minority students. Applicants that can credibly link mine drainage technical activities to clear instructional improvements, student training, and measurable educational outcomes, especially within Minority Serving Institutions, are the most directly aligned with the stated intent of the program.

• The Office of Surface Mining in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OSMRE Mine Drainage Technology Initiative (MDTI)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.255.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-08-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-09-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for S23AS00382

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